One of the best things about Benedict Cumberbatch is how much he wants to talk about things that he is passionate about when given the chance. Luckily, in this video he is talking about some of my favorite topics, the importance of live theatre to the community and especially to younger theatergoers, how it honed his skills, and Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Ian McKellen (playing Sherlock in his twilight years in an upcoming movie), and Peter O’Toole (played Sherlock in the 80’s!

This video was filmed only a few days ago at the first anniversary party for London’s Park Theatre. Cumberbatch, who was there to support his friend, the theatre’s artistic director Jez Bond, also talks about the importance of cost and accessibility to theatre productions for everyone.

No stranger to the stage, Cuberbathch was last seen in FRANKENSTEIN, directed by Danny Boyle at the National Theatre in 2011. In that production he and co-star Jonny Lee Miller alternated playing the roles of Dr. Frankenstein and his creature. He can also be seen on the big and small screen in BBC’s hit SHERLOCK, as well as Khan in STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, Julian Assange in THE FIFTH ESTATE, , and a slave owner in 12 YEARS A SLAVE. Next summer he will return to the stage for 12 weeks as the title character in HAMLET at the Barbican Theater in London.